Chapter 14 - Vitamins and SARS-CoV-2

Vitamins are very important to stay healthy. Taking macronutrients and micronutrients based on the body’s needs prevents us from diseases and can treat them. Vitamins have proven to help deal with severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients. Vitamin C intake seems to boost immunity. Several studies suggested that vitamin C intake can lower the extent of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) besides its other biological functions such as collagen formation and wound healing. Vitamin C works as an anti-oxidant, counteracting the free radicals during an infection. Whenever an infection or disease occurs, it causes the production of reactive oxygen species, or such oxidizing agents help in the inactivation of viruses. Vitamin D is another important micronutrient to treat and prevent URTIs. Commonly, it is recommended for bone and teeth health, but it has also been used for regulating and boosting the immune system. Nutraceutical applications of vitamins are inevitable. Different natural products and foods are good sources of vitamins that can be taken for improved functions of the human body and treatment of diseases. Besides the oral route, vitamins C and D can also be supplied via micro or nanoparticles through other routes. An adequate intake of vitamins positively affects the body in the fight against infections. So, it can also help reduce the severity of illness and morbidity of patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Chapter 15 - Lactoferrin and SARS-CoV-2

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a dynamic and polyfunctional iron-binding protein found in mammalian milk. It possesses antiviral and antibacterial activities, as well as immunological qualities. Researchers have spent much time studying it, and it has lately received attention because of its link to the current coronavirus epidemic. Lf has been revealed to have antiviral properties against coronavirus. It shows that Lf can attach to several of the receptors utilized by coronaviruses, preventing them from entering the body. Other actions of Lf, host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), and the heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), suggest that they may inhibit acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) by binding to host cells. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined bovine lactoferrin (bLf) to be safe for human consumption. However, it is not a vitamin, and a study is underway to learn more about Lf’s additional advantages and if past discoveries of this molecule are worth examining. The coronavirus that causes acute respiratory syndrome might be prevented from adhering to host cells by Lf. HSPG and the host receptor ACE2 are significant in other research because Lf may inhibit the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) from binding to host cells. Lf (enteric-coated Lf in particular, given its increased bioavailability) may have preventative and curative benefits in the continuing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at some time.

SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Saudi Arabia implicate nucleocapsid mutations in host response and increased viral load.

Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 spread and evolution through genome sequencing is essential in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we sequenced 892 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected from patients in Saudi Arabia from March to August 2020. We show that two consecutive mutations (R203K/G204R) in the nucleocapsid (N) protein are associated with higher viral loads in COVID-19 patients. Our comparative biochemical analysis reveals that the mutant N protein displays enhanced viral RNA binding and differential interaction with key host proteins. We found increased interaction of GSK3A kinase simultaneously with hyper-phosphorylation of the adjacent serine site (S206) in the mutant N protein. Furthermore, the host cell transcriptome analysis suggests that the mutant N protein produces dysregulated interferon response genes. Here, we provide crucial information in linking the R203K/G204R mutations in the N protein to modulations of host-virus interactions and underline the potential of the nucleocapsid protein as a drug target during infection.

Rapid single-molecule detection of COVID-19 and MERS antigens via nanobody-functionalized organic electrochemical transistors.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the need for rapid and sensitive protein detection and quantification in simple and robust formats for widespread point-of-care applications. Here, we report on nanobody-functionalized organic electrochemical transistors with a modular architecture for the rapid quantification of single-molecule-to-nanomolar levels of specific antigens in complex bodily fluids. The sensors combine a solution-processable conjugated polymer in the transistor channel and high-density and orientation-controlled bioconjugation of nanobody-SpyCatcher fusion proteins on disposable gate electrodes. The devices provide results after 10 min of exposure to 5 µl of unprocessed samples, maintain high specificity and single-molecule sensitivity in human saliva and serum, and can be reprogrammed to detect any protein antigen if a corresponding specific nanobody is available. We used the sensors to detect green fluorescent protein, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) spike proteins, and for the COVID-19 screening of unprocessed clinical nasopharyngeal swab and saliva samples with a wide range of viral loads.

Human coronaviruses with emphasis on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Human coronaviruses are known as respiratory pathogens mainly associated with a range of respiratory diseases. In the past 18 years, the beginning of severe acute respiratory syndrome human coronavirus (SARS-HCoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and now the (COVID-19) have driven the HCoV into the platform of the scientific community due to their high pathogenicity in humans. Our study about the HCoV has contributed extensively to the understanding of HCoV pathogenesis its outbreak and precautionary measurements mainly COVID-19. By the 16-February 2020, total existing diagnosis cases of COVID-19, in china now numbered around 57,255, total cumulative diagnosis is about 68,592, total existing suspicion is about 8228, a total severe existing disease 11,272, the total cumulative cure is about 9671 with more than 1666 cumulative deaths have been reported. The purpose of the review is to summarize the present knowledge on the viral diversity, reservoir hosts, and geographical distributions of Human coronavirus (COVID-19) in China.